Aruba's pitch is reliability: it sits below the hurricane belt for near-guaranteed sunshine year-round, it's one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, and Palm Beach is lined with easy, lively all-inclusives. They don't call it 'One Happy Island' for nothing. Here's what to know before you book.
- Language
- Dutch & Papiamento
- English universal
- Currency
- Aruban florin
- USD universally accepted
- Power
- 120V, Type A/B plugs
- same as the US
- Driving
- On the right
- Main airport
- Oranjestad
- AUA
Where Aruba splits
The resort areas are not interchangeable. What each one is actually for.
Palm Beach
The high-rise strip: two miles of sand with the big hotels, the casinos, the restaurants and the water-sports huts lined up behind it. Pick it if you want to walk to dinner and a show rather than eat in your resort every night. It is also the busiest, loudest and most built-up beach on the island, which is the trade.
Start with Barceló Aruba - All Inclusive, four-star.
Druif Beach & Oranjestad
The calm sheltered sand between the low-rise strip and the capital, with the cruise port, the shops and the island's restaurant scene a short ride away. Pick it if the town matters as much as the beach, or for the easiest airport run on the island. The beaches here are narrower than Eagle's and the town is busy on cruise days.
Start with Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, four-star.
Eagle Beach
The low-rise stretch just south, where a building height limit keeps the hotels small and the sand wide and open. Pick it for the better beach: this is the one that wins the world rankings, with the fofoti trees and far more room per lounger. Quieter in the evenings, so plan on a taxi to Palm Beach or Oranjestad when you want a night out.
Start with JOIA Aruba by Iberostar, five-star.
When to go to Aruba
Climate normals for Palm Beach / Eagle Beach, and our verdict on each month.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 85 degrees Fahrenheit | 85 degrees Fahrenheit | 86 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 89 degrees Fahrenheit | 89 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 89 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 85 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Rainfall | 1.5″ | 0.8″ | 0.4″ | 0.5″ | 0.6″ | 0.7″ | 1.3″ | 1″ | 1.8″ | 3″ | 3.7″ | 3.2″ |
| Verdict | Shoulder | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Shoulder | Good | Shoulder | Off-peak | Off-peak | Off-peak |
Sweet spot. Year-round; January–March is peak season and priced like it; rainy season runs October–December, and 'rainy' is generous: this is one of the driest islands in the Caribbean.
Storm risk. Aruba sits south of the hurricane belt; direct hits are historically rare, which is exactly why fall trips here don't carry the usual Caribbean asterisk.
Sargassum. The resort beaches face west and stay largely clear; the wild east coast catches whatever the current brings.
Figures are long-term climate normals for Palm Beach / Eagle Beach, good for planning. They are not a forecast.
Do you need a passport, visa, or ED Card?
U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport (good for the length of your stay) but no visa for visits up to 90 days.
Aruba does require an online ED Card (Embarkation/Disembarkation form) completed within 72 hours before arrival, which also collects a $20-per-person sustainability fee. Fill it out at the official aruba.com site and save the confirmation to your phone.
Is Aruba safe?
Aruba is one of the Caribbean's safest destinations; the U.S. State Department keeps it in its lowest-risk tier (the current level is shown at the top of this guide). Petty theft is the main thing to guard against; secure your valuables and you'll have an easy, relaxed trip. Check travel.state.gov before you go.
Currency and tipping
The Aruban florin is the local currency, but U.S. dollars are accepted virtually everywhere, so there's no need to exchange. Restaurants often add a service charge; otherwise tip 10–15% for good service, with a few dollars for housekeeping and drivers.
When to visit
Aruba is a true year-round destination; it sits below the hurricane belt, so even late summer and fall, risky elsewhere in the Caribbean, are reliably sunny and dry here. It's breezy and warm almost always; prices peak December through April.
Getting there & around
Fly into Queen Beatrix International (AUA) at Oranjestad, an easy hop from the U.S. East Coast with U.S. customs preclearance on the way home (you clear before you fly, so you land stateside as a domestic arrival). Aruba drives on the right; resort transfers, taxis, and an easy bus line along the hotel strip cover most needs.
What to do beyond the resort
Beyond Palm and Eagle beaches, take a UTV or jeep tour into rugged Arikok National Park, snorkel the Antilla shipwreck, find the natural pool (Conchi), and watch sunset at the California Lighthouse. The water is calm, clear, and ideal for first-time snorkelers.
Good to know
Power & plugs: 120V, same as the U.S. Language: Dutch and Papiamento officially, but English is universal. Water: Aruba's tap water is desalinated and safe to drink. Sunscreen: reef-safe. Dress: casual and beachy.
Getting to Aruba
Indicative round-trip fares into Oranjestad (AUA) from the major US gateways, cheapest first. Tap through for live prices and dates.
| From | Airport | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| New York | JFK | $381Cheapest |
| Atlanta | ATL | $450 |
| Dallas | DFW | $483 |
| Miami | MIA | $504 |
| Boston | BOS | $527 |
| Chicago | ORD | $544 |
| Newark | EWR | $622 |
| Los Angeles | LAX | $663 |
Where the Aruba resorts are
11 resorts mapped stars are five-star properties
The best all-inclusive resorts in Aruba
The Aruba properties we would actually book. For the full numbered ranking, see the best all-inclusive resorts in Aruba.
Where to stay in Aruba
The resort areas we cover, and which properties sit in each.
Palm Beach
4Druif Beach & Oranjestad
4San Nicolas
1Resort chains in Aruba
The brands operating here. The ones we rank in full link through to the chain, what its plan really covers, and every resort of theirs we track.
Where these companies came from
Almost nobody in this category publishes it. Read oldest first and the list is a short history of how Aruba came to look the way it does.
Aruba, head to head
Price, flights, sand, food and safety, compared honestly.
Aruba vs Jamaica
hurricane risk, beaches, price, culture, and vibe compared honestly. One has the soul, the other has the sure thing.
CompareAruba vs Turks & Caicos
Eagle Beach vs Grace Bay, hurricane odds, prices, all-inclusive options, and vibe, compared honestly for your beach week.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport for Aruba?
Yes, a valid passport (good for your stay), but no visa for visits up to 90 days. You must also complete the online ED Card within 72 hours of arrival, which includes a $20 sustainability fee.
What is the Aruba ED Card?
A required online Embarkation/Disembarkation form completed within 72 hours before arrival at the official aruba.com site. It also collects the $20-per-person sustainability fee.
Is Aruba safe?
Very: the U.S. State Department keeps it in its lowest-risk advisory tier. Petty theft is the main concern; secure valuables and you'll be fine.
Can I use U.S. dollars in Aruba?
Yes: USD is accepted virtually everywhere, so there's no need to exchange. Keep small bills for tips.
When is the best time to visit Aruba?
Any time: Aruba sits below the hurricane belt, so it's reliably sunny year-round. Prices peak December through April.
Is there a hurricane risk in Aruba?
Very low: Aruba is below the main hurricane belt, which is a big part of its year-round appeal.